In 2027, Southwark Cathedral will dedicate its Café exhibition programme to the work of local artists, creating a series of exhibitions celebrating the creativity and perspectives of artists connected to our wider community.
We are inviting artists with a strong connection to the Diocese of Southwark to submit proposals for an exhibition in the Cathedral Café.
The Diocese of Southwark covers South London and East Surrey, including communities across Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham, Croydon, Bromley, Kingston, Richmond, Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, and surrounding areas. You do not necessarily need to live in the Diocese, but you should be able to demonstrate a meaningful connection to a place, community or parish within it.
An opportunity to exhibit in central London
Throughout 2027, we will present a number of exhibitions, each running for approximately six weeks, giving selected artists the opportunity to display their work in a busy and welcoming space at the heart of London.
There is no fee to exhibit. We are offering the Café as a free exhibition space. Artists are not paid an exhibition fee, but there is no charge to submit or exhibit your work.
We can facilitate the sale of exhibited works of which the Cathedral will take a small commission of pieces sold.
Artists may also choose to hold a private view in the Café. A minimum Café spend will apply to private views.
What are we looking for?
We are open to a wide range of artistic practices, provided the work is suitable for display in the Cathedral Café.
Artwork must be suitable for wall hanging. We are particularly interested in paintings, drawings, prints, photography and other two-dimensional work that can be safely and appropriately displayed on the Café walls. The available display space is:
- 4 × wall sections between windows: 83 × 94cm
- 2 × long wall sections: 250 × 90cm
- 1 × small wall section: 142 × 90cm
- 1 × small rear wall section: 130 × 70cm
- 1 × large rear wall section: 182 × 70cm
Due to the nature of the space, we are unable to accommodate very large-scale works or freestanding sculpture.
We welcome proposals for:
- Existing bodies of work that you would like to exhibit
- New exhibition ideas that you would like to develop
- Work that responds to a particular theme, place, community or aspect of life in the Diocese
- Individual artists or, where appropriate, collaborative exhibitions
Some exhibition slots will take place later in 2027, so proposals do not necessarily need to be for work that is already completed.
How to apply
You will be asked to provide:
- Information about yourself and your artistic practice
- Details of your connection to the Diocese of Southwark
- A description of the exhibition or body of work you would like to present
- Examples of the work you are proposing, or examples of previous work if the exhibition is still in development
- A short statement explaining how your work connects with the vision, mission and values of Southwark Cathedral
There is no fee to submit an application.
Submissions will be reviewed by Southwark Cathedral’s Arts and Exhibitions Panel. We aim to respond to all applicants by November 2026.
Key dates
Submission deadline: Sunday 18 October 2026
Decisions: November 2026
Exhibition programme: Throughout 2027
Exhibition length: Approximately six weeks per exhibition
If you have any questions, please email Arts.Cathedral@southwark.anglican.org.
